WARD: SLUGGISH START DOWN TO NO LACK OF EFFORT

Professional Development Coach, Jon Ward expressed his disappointment at the way his players started the game in their 2-0 defeat to Morecambe, but insisted it was through no lack of effort.

Ward named the likes of Matt Preston, Reece Flanagan, Liam Kinsella, Bryn Morris and Reece Flanagan alongside a clutch of youngsters for the trip to the Globe Arena.

It was the first fixture for the Development squad in a number of weeks and Ward attributed his side’s sluggish start to the game to a lack of match action.

“We took a while to get going in the game and that was the big disappointment,” Ward admitted.

“The senior pros in the group haven’t played for a while and although there were only five in there, it’s been three weeks or more since they played.

“So it took a while for us as a group to get up to speed but we held on right up until the 45th minute.

“They put a corner in and score from it and the ref blew whistle for half time.

“We readjusted at the break and made just one change, Levi [Rowley] came on for Kyle King who played Saturday.

“We looked much better and then their boy miss hits a cross from the wing and it deceives everyone and goes in off far post.

“The lad admitted it afterwards and it’s just one of those that floats over everybody and goes in.

“That was a bit of a blow but the response was very positive for the last half hour. We had some strikes at goal, Brynn Morris came on strong, Reece got 70 minutes and done very well and with Liam Kinsella in there as well the midfield started to get a grip of the game.

“So we got ourselves back in it without getting a goal for our efforts which was the only thing lacking.

“I’ve got no problems with effort but that slow start was a disappointment and we just couldn’t find that goal.”

Ward is also assisting Jon Whitney and Neil Cutler with first team affairs following the departure of Sean O’Driscoll and says players at all stages of their career should be looking to impress the interim trio.

“These games are really important at this stage of the season for all of the players.

“The senior lads need minutes because its been a few weeks without a game and with what’s happened with the manager they’ve now got a different view on things.

“They have to go out and impress because I’ll go back and report what I see to Jon [Whitney].

“As for the younger players, they have an opportunity to impress as well. Neil Woods came along to the game and we’re trying to get the first years to push on now ready for next season.

“It was played at Morecambe’s main stadium which was a bonus and despite losing 2-0 it was another game where the players gained some valuable experience.“